Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
Pentax DA 21430 70mm
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
This Nikon 18-55mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, light weight, and excellent value for money, especially as a kit lens. Users highlight its vivid colors and quiet autofocus, though some note the plastic build feels fragile and the barrel can wobble at extended focal lengths. Overall, it's considered a fantastic starter lens that outperforms its modest price point.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Lightweight and portable
- Excellent value for money
- Vivid color reproduction
- Quiet autofocus
Cons
- Plastic build feels fragile
- Barrel wobbles at extended focal lengths
- No image stabilization
- Loose tolerances can affect focus
Pentax DA 21430 70mm
The Pentax HD DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited is a compact prime lens that delivers outstanding sharpness, beautiful color rendition, and smooth bokeh, making it ideal for portraits and travel photography. Users praise its weather-resistant build, fast autofocus, and the retractable hood, though some note it can be a bit long on APS-C cameras for tight spaces. The HD coating improves flare resistance and color transmission compared to the older SMC version. Overall, it is highly recommended for Pentax shooters seeking a high-quality, portable telephoto prime.
Pros
- Outstanding sharpness
- Beautiful color rendition
- Smooth bokeh
- Compact and portable
- Weather-resistant build
Cons
- Slightly long on APS-C for tight spaces
- Bokeh not spectacular for some
- Focus ring feel not premium
- Lens cap can fall off if hood retracted
- Only for cropped sensor cameras
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm | Pentax DA 21430 70mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 70 mm |
| Elements | 7 | 6 |
| Groups | 5 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | HD coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Pentax K |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.20 kg | 0.15 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 49 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | pulse stepping motor★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 55 mm★ | 701 mm |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:8★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
- Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
Pentax DA 21430 70mm
- Strong build (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average optical (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm offers 8.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.
